Ajak Leuth appears in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for assaulting woman at house party

A night out with a group of friends turned into a nightmare after a man cornered and assaulted a woman in the backyard of a house party, telling her ‘you stay here with me’.

Ajak Alier Leuth leaving the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Monday, January 23, after pleading guilty to assaulting a young woman at a house party. Picture: Toowoomba Chronicle

A Toowoomba man has fronted court after he subjected a young woman to a frightening assault at a Darling Heights house party.

Police prosecutor Anita Page told Toowoomba Magistrates Court about 2.30am on December 18, 2022, Ajak Alier Leuth asked the woman to go outside with him and share a smoke.

While the pair were in the backyard, Ms Page told the court he leaned over the woman and tried to kiss her lips.

“She pushed him back … and said ‘no I don’t want to, don’t kiss me’,” Ms Page said.

“(He) then forced himself on the victim by kissing her on the mouth and asked (her) for her contact number.”

Ms Page said after the woman refused to hand over her number, Leuth put his arms up, trapping her in a corner.

“The victim told (Leuth) she wanted to go back inside,” she said.

Leuth said, “No”.
“You stay here with me.”

Ajak Alier Leuth leaving the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Monday, January 23, after pleading guilty to assaulting a young woman at a house party. Picture: Toowoomba Chronicle

The court was told the woman told Leuth multiple times that she wanted to leave and find her friends.

“Let me go, I don’t want to be here anymore,” she pleaded.

Leuth said, “just one more kiss and I will let you go”.

The woman eventually pushed free of Leuth and found her friends.

Ms Page said police were quick to arrive at the West St unit after they received multiple calls about Leuth’s behaviour – some of which were unrelated to the assault.

The court was told the young dad was stressed about accommodation and drunk at the time of the assault.

Leuth said he did not remember what happened and accepted the woman’s allegations.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said it was a very serious example of common assault.

“You cannot force yourself upon people, and intimidate them, and think you’re going to get away with it,” she said.

“The young woman would have no doubt, been extremely fearful and concerned.

“Your behaviour was appalling.

“Significantly (think) about not drinking at all if that’s how you are going to behave while intoxicated.”

Ms Philipson told Leuth if he committed the offence again, he would quickly find himself behind bars.

“You are not setting any kind of example for your young children,” she said.

“But I do accept that life has been very difficult for you and despite that adversity you have done well.”

Leuth pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to a nine month probation order.

Originally published as Ajak Leuth appears in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for assaulting woman at house party